Published by the courtesy of the Master of the Rolls
and the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records.

Grenada.
December 29th 1769.
My Lord
Some time ago the Officer commanding His Maj-
esty's Troops in the Island of Tobago, not conceiving
himself obliged to receive paroles or military orders
from the President or Senior Councillor resident in
that Island, refused obedience to them.
The President ordered him and the other Officers
then in garrison, successively under arrest for non-ob
edience and as no attention was paid to these orders,
the Council immediately assembled and transmitted to
me an account of the transactions and desired my in-
terposition.
I found that the authority of the Council was foun-
ded on His Majesty's instructions giving them the same
powers and privileges as are enjoyed in the other Col.
onies; among which, at least in some of the Colonies
particularly Antigua, the President in the absence of
the Commander in Chief from the Island though not from
the Government, gives out paroles and military orders
to the troops.
To determine the contest therefore and to prevent

others in any of the Islands of this Government, I gave
out a General Order confirming and regulating the pow-
er of the President. But as the subordinates there dir-
ected, had not been before expressly mentioned in any
instructions or order but merely founded on the exam-
ple of other Islands with which, the Officers did not
think themselves obliged to be acquainted, I interpos-
ed my personal influence to put an aimiable end to a
dispute that was likely to go great lengths between
the Civil and Military Branches in that infant Colony
and I desired the General Orders to be considered as
a regulation for the future and to have no retrospect.
The Gentlemen of the Council have in consequence
thought no further of the past disobedience, content
that their authority is now firmly established. Since
my orders have been issued, the Officers have con-
tinued ever since to obey very cheerfully and live in
great harmony with the inhabitants.

X X X

I have the honour to be, My Lord,
with great respect
Your Lordship's
Most obedient and most humble servant
Ulysses Fitz Maurice.
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Hillsborough.